I Packed for 10 Days in a Carry-On
Here's how you can do it, too (plus, my top luggage recommendations and more)
Hi everyone,
I’m writing to you while on a flight from LAX to Vienna, Austria (via New York), en route to one of my favorite travel industry conferences of the year: The River Cruise Expo, produced by the American Society of Travel Advisors. My trip is 10 days total; half of them will be spent participating in the conference (attending general sessions, evening cocktail parties and touring river cruise ships), and the remaining days will be cruising the Danube River onboard the beautiful Amadeus Nova river cruise ship sailing through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.
I’m a self-proclaimed ~ carry-on queen ~ when I have multiple flights (after losing a checked bag in an international country, I’m sure you’ll be one, too), so I challenged myself to pack for all 10 days just using a carry-on and a backpack. It’s a task made all the more difficult when the trip includes multiple flights, potential inclement winter and events that require several different types of attire (from business to casual).
But I like a good challenge.
Here are my top tips for packing like a pro.
1. Invest in good carry-on luggage**
If you’re going carry-on-only on a flight, you already know the two-bag rule (and how strict airlines are about the carry-on + personal item limit). So, you need the best luggage for the job.
I swear by the AWAY Larger carry-on, which is sturdy and can fit much more than its standard “Carry On” counterpart. Then, for my “personal item,” I tout the Biaggi Carry Cube backpack, which functions more like a mini-suitcase than a traditional backpack.
My favorite features on the Biaggi backpack include a separate shoe compartment (that unzips and doubles as a packing cube), a cushioned laptop sleeve, a strap to affix the pack over a rollerboard handle, an external water bottle holder, and its variety of pockets (besides the main compartment of the backpack, there are four smaller pockets available (two on the outside -- for things you might need readily accessible, like wallets, charging cables, snacks -- and two on the inside.
I prefer a backpack over a duffle for several reasons: It provides a more compact structure (helpful when storing it under the seat in front of me), it allows me to be hands-free when walking through the airport, and it evenly spreads the weight across both shoulders, rather than a duffle bag (that is slung over only one).
** These products are not sponsored. If you like my recommendations and want to see more gear in future newsletters, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.**
2. Invest in Packing Cubes
Packing cubes save me on a trip like this. Invest in a set like this one and place your clothes into them ahead of time. They keep everything sorted, contained and together in your suitcase – I don’t leave without them.
There are a couple different strategies you can take when using the cubes, depending on the trip:
1. Take two cubes, and put business/dressy clothes in one, casual clothes in the other). Use the third and fill it up throughout the trip with dirty laundry, or clothes you won’t wear again.
2. Take two cubes, and plan your outfits day by day. Put the first half of the trip’s clothes in one cube, and the second half of the trip in the other. Pack a third cube to use for dirty laundry.
3. Roll your clothes
Yes, they will likely be wrinkly when you unpack them. But, they will take up so much less room (and most hotels come with an iron). I immediately unpack when I get into a hotel room and hang all my clothes up. You can also buy a travel-size Wrinkle Release spray, which helps in a pinch.
4. Pack neutral clothes that can be layered, re-worn and styled for day + night.
This trip features evening receptions (cocktail attire), general sessions (business attire), educational sessions (business casual attire) and a post-cruise where I’ll be doing tons of walking around European port towns (casual attire). I also work out when I can (so I’ll need workout attire), and I’ll want some comfy clothes while I hang out around the ship. Oh, and it’s still very cold in Europe, so I’ll need a warm coat (plus a hat, scarf and gloves).
It sounds impossible to fit it all into a carry-on, but stay with me -- I tend to lean more neutral in my style, and I want clothes that can be worn both in casual settings and for business trips.
Examples of this:
- A jumpsuit that can be worn to an evening cocktail reception, but change it to a day-time look by layering a sweater over it to dress it down while still showing off the pants.
- Black pleated pants with pockets that look business-y, but have an elastic waistband (so, they’re basically sweatpants, and can be worn comfortably outside).
- A black sweater dress that can look different if you wear it with a scarf, jewelry, etc.
- A tank top that has a sports bra sewn in, so you don’t have to pack additional sports bras for working out.45. Wear Your Heaviest Clothing on the Plane
(I’m sitting here, writing this newsletter in my winter coat. It’s worth it, if I can save room in my suitcase. I’m also wearing my heaviest, bulkiest sweater and my heaviest, bulkiest shoes.)
6. Don’t bring too many shoes
Speaking of shoes: Don’t bring too many. A pair of heeled booties, a pair of neutral loafers, slipper socks for lounging in the hotel/river cruise cabin, and some white sneakers for walking around. Done.
Pro tip: You know those plastic shower caps found in hotel rooms? They also make great shoe covers when packing, so you don’t need to put dirty shoe soles next to all your clean clothes.
7. Buy small containers to fill up for toiletries
I have one toiletry bag, and I use it for all my toiletries (face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, toothpaste, floss, lip balm) and makeup (two brushes, concealer, my Subtl stack (AMAZING for travel), mascara and a couple lip glosses. Medicine is separate, and goes in the outer compartment (I always have on hand: Pepto Bismol, Advil, Excedrin, Dayquil/Nyquil, and Gas-X, plus my prescriptions).
Last pro tip: I probably won’t be able to do laundry during this trip, so I also bring Tide To Go sink packets in my toiletry bag, in case an emergency arises and I need to do laundry in my hotel room sink (not ideal, but avoids a hefty laundry charge).
Next week, I’m sharing my full packing list for this trip, so you can see exactly what I packed, and use it as a reference for your next carry-on-only adventure.
Next week, I’m sharing my full packing list. Stay tuned!
Wishing you all a wonderful rest of your week.
Emma Stern
Carryon girlies unite! It feels like a magic trick to be able to get everything you need into two bags. Also I kind of love washing my clothes in the hotel sink and having fresh stuff — feels like a dirty (clean) secret hahaha!